Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Lonicera japonica, Forsythia suspensa and other herbs
A Chinese patent medicine based on Yin Qiao San, a honeysuckle and forsythia formula used early in colds and flu for fever, sore throat and headache.
What is Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan?
- Plant family
- Caprifoliaceae (the honeysuckle family) for honeysuckle; Oleaceae (the olive family) for forsythia
- Parts used
- A multi-herb formula led by honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua) and forsythia fruit (lian qiao), as pills or tablets
- Genus
- Lonicera / Forsythia
- Species
- japonica / suspensa
Also called
Strong Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian, Yinqiao Powder, Yin Chiao
Traditional names
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan, Yin Qiao San
Traditionally used for
- Colds and flu (traditional)
- Fever (traditional)
- Sore throat (traditional)
Traditionally described as
- Acted against flu viruses (in lab studies)
Health topics
Where Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Colds and Nasal Congestion
A traditional Chinese remedy for the early stage of colds and flu; a related decoction shortened fever in a flu trial.
- Fever
A related decoction shortened fever in people with mild H1N1 flu in an unblinded trial.
- Sore Throat
Traditionally used for sore throat in early colds and flu. Not tested on its own in trials.
Traditions that use it
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Based on Yin Qiao San from the classic Analysis of Warm Diseases; used early in colds and flu to expel "wind-heat", for fever, sore throat and headache.
Safety
Contamination
In 2014, Hong Kong's Department of Health ordered a recall of Strong Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian, and two products with the same formula, after finding undeclared paracetamol in them. The department warned that inappropriate use of paracetamol can damage the liver and kidneys.[1]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
This patent medicine is based on Yin Qiao San, a formula from the classic Chinese text Analysis of Warm Diseases. It's a "cool" medicine used early in a feverish illness to expel "wind-heat", and treats fever, sore throat, headache and mild thirst. Its lead herbs are honeysuckle flower (jin yin hua) and forsythia fruit (lian qiao).[2]
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In lab studies, honeysuckle and forsythia extracts acted against flu viruses. In flu-infected mice, Yin Qiao San protected the lungs and reduced inflammation.[2]
Research in people
In a 2011 trial in 11 Chinese hospitals, 410 people aged 15 to 69 with mild H1N1 flu took the flu drug oseltamivir, a related 12-herb decoction (maxingshigan-yinqiaosan, which also contains ephedra), both, or nothing for 5 days. The decoction shortened the time to fever going away, as oseltamivir did. Participants knew which treatment they got, and the decoction isn't the same product as this pill.[3]
In short
A Hong Kong "Strong" version was recalled in 2014 for containing undeclared paracetamol.
Sources
- [1] Recall of proprietary Chinese medicine tainted with Western drug (Strong Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian) — Department of Health, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionGovernment health agency
- [2] Anti-influenza formula medicines based on warm disease theory of traditional Chinese medicine · DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2026.02.008Peer-reviewed study
- [3] Oseltamivir compared with the Chinese traditional therapy maxingshigan-yinqiaosan in the treatment of H1N1 influenza: a randomized trial · DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-4-201108160-00005Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.